As the Dust Settles: Post-Election Reflections

In the wake of the recent election, we’ve experienced a variety of emotions in our sessions—we’ve seen a mix of relief, celebration, despair, vindication, confusion, excitement, and nervous anticipation ripple through our communities. At The Center for Relationships, we recognize the strain moments like these place on our relationships, not just with one another but with ourselves. Through our Inspiring Love series, we’re offering a thoughtful response—grounded in relationship science and the belief that love, in all its forms, has the power to heal. Join us as we explore how to navigate conflict with compassion, bridge divides with curiosity, and create a path forward built on connection and understanding.

Read the full post to find calm, clarity, and actionable strategies for fostering healthier relationships in challenging times.

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Healing Communities: A Call for Compassion on the 4th of July

We are living in the era of relationships and yet our connection to each other could not be worse on so many levels. Our communities have become sick. The viruses of hatred, suspicion, competition, and disengagement have become endemic.  We are learning that our neurons live in networks, that our brain is an ecology, like a garden where if one plant dies, the rest of the garden adapts to keep the brain alive.

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Asian American Relationships: The Duality of Tradition and Modernity

Often, younger generations of Asian Americans who are more socialized into American culture face pressures from parents and other older relatives and acquaintances to be more loyal to their family values. This occurs because the beliefs and values of those older generations – typically more traditional – do not mesh well with the modern attitudes younger generations have. These pressures can cause stress within the relationship as each partner both tries to meet the other’s needs while also coping with pressure from parents and relatives to be loyal to the cultural mores. 

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Change Your Relationship in: One Day, One Week, One Month, One Year

Simple and easy relationship tips are not bad if applied at the right time and to the right problem.  At the same time, some habits are hard to change, and some skills need a lot of practice to really become second nature to you. So in this blog, I want to take you on a journey that begins with the simple and ends with the more complex. Let’s look together at the whole gamut – things you can do in a day, week, month, and a year  to change your situation or your skills and abilities to deal with a situation in your life.

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Strengthening BIPOC Relationships

Black History Month has come to an end and we are moving into Women’s History Month. In the US, almost every month is designated to particular issues or populations that deserve our attention. During these months, we are invited to learn more about that issue or population, to raise our awareness about how people in that category feel, think, or live, and to hold more sensitivity towards that issue or population in our words and actions. 

During our recent CareWeek annual program, our very own Clinical Director, Toya Foster facilitated a webinar on this topic of strengthening BIPOC relationships.  If you missed that webinar, here is a recap of what she presented.   

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Having Fun in Your Close Relationships During the Holidays!

Did you know that building positivity in your relationships does not take huge effort and pays off better than tackling the difficult stuff in relationships? Most of us tend to wait until a close relationship (with a friend, a child, or a partner) is stuck in conflict before we seek professional help.  It makes sense that we would try on our own before we spend time and money getting therapy. Therapy can be stressful work – requiring a new level of vulnerability and honesty from participants –  but therapy can help a lot. However, Gottman research also supports a less arduous practice for positive relationship building: Small Things Often!

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Strengthen Your Relationship: Throw Your Own “Parade”!

Many families work the “What are you thankful for?” conversation into their annual Thanksgiving meal, with answers ranging from groans to jokes to earnest sharing – and responses from the family running a similar gamut, hopefully in the supportive vein. 

Though it may seem hokey, psychological research gives reason to believe that sharing good news is just as important to your close relationships as supporting each other through the hard times!

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5 Essential Steps to Healthy Conflict Management in Relationships

Conflict is a natural part of human interaction, and it's particularly prevalent in close relationships. The way we handle these conflicts can make or break our connections with others. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the 5 essential steps to healthy Conflict Management in Relationships, providing a detailed look at each step to help you navigate disagreements with grace and empathy.

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Vagdevi MeunierComment
Setting Boundaries in Relationships: A Guide to Healthy Connections

In the complex choreography of human relationships, establishing boundaries is a critical step towards fostering a nurturing, satisfying, and respectful connection. Rather than trying to regulate or transform other's behaviors, boundaries serve to indicate our personal limitations and comfort zones in a relationship. They uphold the architecture of mutual respect, comprehension, and consent between individuals, while also helping us maintain our distinct identities in the relationship.

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